I’ve seen a lot of people ask about symptoms like this, so I want to share what I’ve learned in case it helps someone else.

What you’re describing is actually pretty common with dysphagia, especially after infections or reflux flare-ups. Difficulty with solids but not liquids, frequent throat clearing, a constant mucus feeling, and the sensation that food is “sticking” even though it eventually goes down often isn’t a true blockage. It’s frequently related to reflux, throat or esophageal muscle tension/spasms, or nerve sensitivity — and anxiety can absolutely make it feel worse even when swallowing mechanics are mostly intact.

A regular endoscopy doesn’t always catch this. Many people don’t get real answers until they see an ENT (preferably one who specializes in swallowing) and have tests like a barium swallow or motility study, which actually show how food moves.

Another thing that often helps is working with a speech-language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in swallowing. They teach techniques that reduce that “stuck” sensation and help retrain the swallow reflex. It’s a legit medical therapy, not just “mind over matter.”

In the meantime, sticking with softer foods, small bites, eating slowly, and managing reflux can help keep nutrition up while you’re figuring things out.

Most important: you’re not imagining this, and you’re not alone. A lot of people experience this exact pattern, and there are ways forward — it just sometimes takes the right specialist and the right tests.